SAMUEL SMITH was a sober, steady, and industrious young man. He promised well. In the Sunday school he had learned many useful lessons, and under a faithful minister became "almost a Christian." But he was urged to join a club which met at a tavern, and, from an exaggerated representation of its advantages at length did so. At first, he went, paid his money, drank his pint of beer, and returned home. At length he took a pipe of tobacco. Soon after, he remained to hear one song. Soon he became fond of the society of vain, mirthful, thoughtless young men and at times drank so much that could not walk straight when he went home. A craving for strong drink, mirthful company, and foolish jests was produced, and step by step he was led on until he squandered his property, destroyed his health, and ruined his soul! Disease was generated by his bad habits his constitution was undermined, and he sank into a premature grave. He was another victim to "the deceitfulness of sin."
Young man! avoid the tavern as you would a house full of disease! Join no society or club which holds its meetings there. The ruin of thousands has been accelerated thereby. If you take one step in sin you will be tempted to take another, and another, until you are undone! Yielding to temptation, is like making a break in a huge dam the waters will soon become all-powerful and carry everything before them. If you begin you cannot stop when you will; for habits are soon formed but once formed, are not easily broken off! Hence that fearful text of Scripture, "Let the Ethiopian change his skin, and the leopard his spots then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil."
HENRY MAYNE was a kind-hearted, amiable lad, a good son, and a faithful employee. His conscience was tender; his conduct was consistent. His mother was proud of him, and his father used to say, "there was not a better lad in the town than our Henry!" He had just turned his eighteenth year when he was coaxed away one day to the races. There he was introduced into mirthful company, which proved a snare to him. He became selfish, and his temper was soon soured. He could not bear the restraints of home. He was now too much of a 'man' to be tied to his mother's apron string nor would he put up with the old man's lectures. If he earned money, he had a right to do what he pleased with it, and he would, too! He left home, went to lodge with a loose young man, and was soon added to the number of those who are destroyed through "the deceitfulness of sin." Poor Henry! he might have been a respectable young man, a useful member of society, and a happy Christian but sin deceived him, and he died as he lived a slave to his passions, one of the dupes of Satan led captive by the devil at his will.
Reader! beware of yielding to temptation! Beware, oh beware, of taking the first step in the road to ruin! Seek grace from God in prayer, to enable you to live godly, righteously, and soberly in the present world. Keep, Oh keep eternity in view, for you must live forever in happiness or woe! Your eternal destiny is fixed by the course you pursue in time. There is a strait gate and a narrow way that leads to glory, and comparatively few go in there at: and there is a wide gate and a broad road that leads to destruction and multitudes, multitudes, go in there at! Strive, therefore, to enter in at the strait gate, and be sure you enter it by a living faith. It leads to the way of holiness; it conducts to the presence of God.
Do not be deceived by sin! Do not walk in the way of sinners. Young woman! avoid the dancing-room, it is one of the first steps to ruin! Young man! avoid the tavern, and the racecourse for there is Satan lies in wait to destroy. The best way to escape from all the traps and snares that Satan lays for you is to come to Jesus and be saved from sin and the wrath to come through him!
